THE 12 STEPS -Narcotics Anonymous

Step 1: Powerlessness. During step one, you acknowledge that you are powerless in your drug addiction. Admitting to yourself that you have a drug problem and are powerless on your own is the key to recovery.

Step 2: Hope. Next, step two asks you to look to a higher power for guidance and support. This higher power can be religious, such as a god or deity, or it can be a powerful concept that reminds you that you don’t have all the answers.

Step 3: Surrender. By surrendering to a higher power, you admit that there is something out there that is greater than you are. It also reminds you that there is more to life outside of your addiction.

Step 4: Inventory. Doing an inventory is an exercise in self-reflection. During step four, you examine the mistakes you have made throughout your addiction.

Step 5: Confession. Step five takes place shortly after step four and asks you to be honest about your mistakes. Speaking your truth might seem hard at first, but is an important part of living with integrity during recovery.

Step 6: Acceptance. Once you acknowledge your flaws and mistakes, you will then take time to accept yourself for who you are. Everyone has good and bad characteristics, and our mistakes do not define us.

Step 7: Humility. Step seven asks you to turn to your higher power for support and inspiration. You might pray for guidance or examine a deeply held philosophy and see how it inspires you to acknowledge that you don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Step 8: Amends List. During step eight, you will make a list of the people you might have hurt as a result of your drug addiction.

Step 9: Make Amends. Now that you have created a list of those you have wronged, step nine asks you to reach out to those people and offer them an apology. (Sometimes, people on your list may not be open to having a conversation. It is more important that you tried to make amends rather than received forgiveness.)

Step 10: Maintain Inventory. Step ten encompasses your entire recovery process. You will continually check in with yourself during your recovery journey and remain honest about your progress.

Step 11: Reflect. For step eleven, you will engage in prayer or meditation to consider your life’s purpose.

Step 12: Be of Service. Many people likely helped you throughout your recovery journey. Step twelve asks you to take the new chance at life that you’ve been given and use it to help others